I first met Austen when he was eight years old. Diagnosed with autism at age three, the child I met was inhibited, unsocial, difficult to understand when he spoke and frequently needed to bounce on a trampoline or stride back and forth.
 
Over the past eight years I have been privileged to be regarded as a member of Austen’s family and participate in every meaningful event in his life. Several birthday parties were little short of disasters as Austen couldn’t seem to cope with the fuss and the fact that he was the centre of attention.

You wouldn’t know that boy today. Austen now has a black belt in tai kwondo, is an enthusiastic member of an athletics club, a talented long distance runner and has consistently won prizes as the boy who contributes the most to the life of his school.

When he turned 16, Austen surprised us all by wanting to have a birthday party. 

Eighteen very pleasant and well-mannered young people came to help him celebrate.  And the tiny smile that makes its way onto Austen’s face when he’s feeling happy and secure never left.
 
My gift for Austen’s 16th birthday was a suitcase as my boy would soon be off to Los Angeles for three weeks with his school. This from a boy who less than 12 months earlier told me that he would never need a passport because he would never leave Australia!

So, you see, miracles do happen in the most ordinary of lives.